NHL roundup: Bruins beat Canadiens in OT to even series

Matt Fraser scored at 1:19 of overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 1-0 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday night, tying the Atlantic Division final series at 2-2 in Montreal.

Making his NHL playoff debut after being called up Wednesday from Providence of the American Hockey League, Fraser jumped into a scramble in front of goalie Carey Price and slid the puck under him into the net.

Fraser scored after Johnny Boychuk’s shot from the point took a high hop off the end boards and Price and defenseman Mike Weaver had trouble controlling the bouncing puck.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Boston.

Tuukka Rask made 33 saves for Boston, and Price stopped 34 shots.

The teams played their first scoreless period in regulation time in the series in a tight-checking first marked mainly by icings and missed passes.

Boston’s Carl Soderberg had the best chance in the final minute after Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban’s blind back pass was intercepted, but Price got a piece of it as it went off the crossbar.

Another goal-less period followed as shooters misfired, particularly Montreal’s Max Pacioretty on a setup from Thomas Vanek, and both goalies held their ground.

Each team went on the power play once, but even that failed to break the deadlock.

The Canadiens went on attack in the third, peppering the Boston net and outshooting the Bruins, 14-7. But the Bruins got a power play and Reilly Smith hit a goal post, only to see Brian Gionta stoned by Rask alone in front of the net at the other end a moment later.

CARLYLE RETURNING: Randy Carlyle is coming back as Maple Leafs coach next season.

General manager Dave Nonis said he and new team president Brendan Shanahan "decided together that Randy Carlyle was the right person to lead this team."

Carlyle and the Leafs agreed to a two-year contract extension, but assistants Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon will not be returning next season.

Toronto went 2-12 in its last 14 games under Carlyle after being as high as second place in the Atlantic Division.